GenAI Weekend Reads
Nick Redfern has a global take on GenAI and Creative Commons take on GenAI from 2021
From Rouse:
Nick Redfern, a Principal, and Global Head of Enforcement at Rouse, posted an article last week titled, "To train AI or not to train; that is the question." Don’t expect this short article to provide a definitive answer to his question; instead, he emphasizes an important point. The issues are “more delicate than the question of simply ingesting and training LLMs.” Reading it reminds you that the matters surrounding the question are global, with different countries adopting varied and sometimes opposing methodologies. My take? Don’t expect any legal finality on copyright questions anytime soon. So, keep pressing forward.
From Creative Commons:
Tim and I have discussed Creative Commons copyright compliance extensively in the past, as it has been part of our lives for quite some time. We both hold CC certification. Like the other questions surrounding copyright and Generative AI, nothing comes easy. Expect more updates concerning CC in future newsletters.
CC released a working paper in 2021 by Brigitte Vézina and Sarah Hinchliff Pearson titled, “Should CC-Licensed Content be Used to Train AI? It Depends.” (Don’t expect the article to answer the question.) In GenAI years, 2021 is a long time ago. But the title still remains as pertinent today as it did then. It depends! All copyright determinations are fact-specific.
The article is worth reading, but two comments particularly stand out.
“Sharing ultimately benefits the public.” This recognition should be at the forefront of every follower of Christ. The world needs the gospel, and we are responsible for sharing it! We shouldn’t need CC to prompt us.
CC’s take: “We want to engage in rich conversations on AI’s multiple facets…” My take? It may be time for specific, timely, and prompt actions regarding AI’s multiple facets, not rich conversations. Time is too short, and the need is too great.
Blessings, and have a great weekend!
Bruce Erickson © 2025 This article is licensed Attribution CC BY-SA 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa).